Serial-ATA IO

6 Gb/s SATA full population BERTScan using the LBP compliance pattern

Q-Factor Minimum Amplitude
measurement

The need for faster access and throughput storage technologies is well documented. Serial ATA (SATA) at 1.5, 3, and 6 Gb/s is becoming a well established interface for mechanical hard disks, CD, DVD, Blu-ray, and solid state drives (SSDs).

What's New?

For Host testing up to 6 Gb/s, all you need is a BERTScope! Historically, SATA testing of Host devices such as computer motherboards involved the use of a protocol generator to get the Host into BIST (built-in-self-test) mode. Now, with sophisticated new data patterns, the BERTScope can get the Host devices into BIST mode by itself. This eliminates the need for a protocol generator paves the way for a simpler and faster initiation of Host testing. See the Resources section below for links to these new data patterns.

Why Choose BERTScope for SATA?

The BERTScope 7500B was the first instrument used for transmitter signal integrity compliance testing in the gold suite of SATA Interop #1. It was also the instrument in a gold suite of SATA Interop #4, when the first receiver compliance testing for LOGO listing was enforced. SyntheSys Research has pioneered receiver testing and the automation of transmitter LOGO compliance testing.

BERTScope is well established in both receiver and transmitter testing of SATA devices. Some notable areas are:

Transmitter Testing:

Transmitter Jitter Compliance — The absolute reference for jitter measurement of SATA transmitters is stated in the standard as BERTScan at 10^-12 BER, which in the BERTScope is the Jitter Peak measurement. Even more insight into transmitter performance is available in the BERTScope Jitter Map option.
Transmitter Minimum Amplitude Measurement — This is specified as a BER contour at 10^-12 at 6 Gb/s, and is easily obtainable with the BERTScope BER Contour and/or Q-Factor measurements.

Receiver Testing:

The ability to generate SSC and large amounts of jitter at the same time. For example, 18% RJ (120 ps) and 27% SJ (180 ps) simultaneously with SSC at 1.5 Gb/s.
Generation of stress with true random jitter, so that the 20-minute jitter tolerance measurement does not become 6,000 identical tests of 200 ms each.

Useful Links

Serial ATA: www.serialata.org

Recommended Products

BERTScope Si 8500C

BERTScope S 7500B with Option XSSC: Extended SJ and SSC

BERTScope PatternVu Software

BERTScope CR 12500A Clock Recovery Instrument

BERTScope Differential ISI Test Board

BERTScope SATA Tee

Recommended Accessories

Rise time converters for high speed BER testers to product ~100 ps rise time signals (e.g., SATA Gen2x): Picosecond Pulse Labs, Model 5915-110-100PS: www.picosecond.com

ITC Solutions SATA test fixtures TF-1R21 (receptacle) and TF-1P21 (plug) are available from SyntheSys Research.

Resources

BERTScope pattern files for SATA testing:
BIST initiation patterns up to 6 Gb/s for Serial ATA Hosts

Applications Literature & Methods of Implementation (MOI)

To learn more about how BERTScope can meet your testing needs, or to schedule a demonstration in your lab, contact our Sales Engineers.